Hello, my name is Penny. I wonder if anyone can recommend a possible solution for my problem. I have scarred eyelids caused by a car crash some 50 years ago. I managed quite well until a few years ago when I developed dry eyes. My eyelids do not close properly now and my eyes dry out during the night. At first drops in the day (Celluvisc) and Lacrilube at night were sufficient to keep the problem under control. Then I had to use more Lacrilube and eventually resorted to taping.

The problem is that because I have to use so much Lacrilube the tape does not remain stuck for the whole of the night and I usually wake up in pain (as if someone has scraped my eyeball with a sharp knife). Then I find that I have to get up and wash my face as the Lacrilube has spread and once I take the tape off I can't put any more on the oily skin. Then I'm wide awake.

I have been looking at Tranquileyes but am reluctant to spend that sort of money and discover that the product doesn't work. Has anyone tried it? I have been attempting to make my own with swimming goggles and foam rubber. This is still a work in progress I'm afraid.

I find all the remedies are good once the problem has happened (hot flannels, eyelid scrubs etc) but would dearly love to find something to keep my eyes moist during sleep.

Often we find that using a viscous gel at night such as Theratears liquid gel or Clinitas Hydrate means the eyes get protection, while still being able to be taped shut as they are not greasy. Additionally really working on your dry eye management during waking hours is a good idea, so that the eye is as healthy and healed up as possible and is thus able resist the overnight dessication the following night. Sometimes we fit silicone type bandage contact lenses to protect the eye overnight. I take it the oculoplastic surgeons have done everything possible? Its a tricky situation to manage sometimes.

I'm not sure what an oculoplastic surgeon is - I had my plastic surgery at Wordsley hospital near Stourbridge which I think was a used during the war for injured airmen (the wards and operating theatre were Nissen huts and patients had to be wheeled outside to get from one to the other!) I haven't thought about any further surgery and no doctor has every suggested it. I have severe damage to my right eye too so any form of contact lens has never been an option.

I intend to look at the products you mention and also try to keep hydrated during the day. I'm trying to blink more too especially when on the computer and also limit my time in front of the screen. I find the hot cloths and eyelash cleansing first thing in the morning a great help. I no longer read in bed but use tapes or CD's from the library.

I have also discovered that it's possible to buy Tranquileyes products more cheaply than I had first thought by ordering things individually rather than a 'set' as usually advertised. Still considering this and will let you know.

I took your advice and went to see my GP to arrange an appointment with a specialist. My GP admitted that there was nothing further he could do to help.

The appointment took some weeks to arrive and was no help really. However, I decided that I would follow the eye consultant's instructions to the letter but had no improvement. Putting Lacrilube in my eyes first thing was a complete no-no (couldn't see) as was massaging my eyelids and then rinsing my eyes. I really didn't feel that he understood the problem and thought that I was suffering 'discomfort' rather than real pain. The consultant also said that he could not operate on my eyelid as this would cause it to droop.

I also tried Tranquileyes goggles which helped with my left eye but not the one I have most problems with. I also found that I had to have them quite tight and had 'bags' under my eyes the next day. This probably wouldn't happen on a younger person. However, the warm beads do soothe.

So, having tried his suggestions I am now trying Theratears and have done so for 5 nights. It's too early to say but Theratears and tape are an improvement on the Lacrilube and tape/goggles/cling film etc.

I do have very dry skin and have invested in unperfumed shampoo, conditioner and skin creams which may be helping too. I find Theratears rather drying and the tape is quite painful to remove. I am using Micropore (Tesco's version) at the moment and was quite interested to hear about 3m Kind Removal Silicone tape as recommended on the US Dry Eye site. I have requested a small sample from 3M and the contact details for a supplier but they may not be interested in a non-professional. Any suggestions for easy-removal tape would be most welcome.

Just an update really. From reading suggestions on other sites I am now 'managing' the problem most of the time. I use microwaveable cling film as a mask rather like Zorro without the holes and Lacrilube at night.

During the day I have found that treating my eyes differently works so, I put Celluvisc eye drops in my left eye and Theratears Gel in my right eye. I avoid getting water in my right eye at all costs. Also doing all the' usual' things like avoiding air-con, central heating, gas fires, too much time at the screen, not blinking etc. Also, although it's difficult I don't sleep on my right side if I can help it as this 'pushes' my eye further open. The cling film is a great help.

After long deliberation (and wait) I have an appointment with an Occular Plastic Surgeon in June to see what else can be done. I saw a different doctor at my practice and she seemed to understand the problem much more than the first doctor I saw so it's worth getting a second opinion.

Sites like yours are such a help and I noticed that there is a self-help on Facebook site for corneal erosion.

This is a further update on my last post. I went to see the opthalmic plastic surgeon (as you suggested) and she was really helpful. She understood the problem straight away and prescribed Sodium Chrloride 5% Eye Ointment which is really giving good results. I had been experiencing pain in my eye which is apparently due to oedema and the salt draws out the moisture and it doesn't ache any more. Also I have (touch wood) been free of an erosion for 2 months now. She gave me some extra strong drops to use in the affected eye four times a day and suggested I take fish oil, Vitamin C and sea buckthorn capsules. All of which I'm doing. I'm still covering my eyes at night too. I'm keeping hydrated as well.

I have to return in 6 months and she has said that if this didn't work she would tighten my eyelids (not struck on that idea so will persevere).

I realise now that I had assumed that my eyelid was causing the problem but it looks as though it was the swelling plus a previous attack. Also, it wasn't until I visited this forum and the US Dry Eye Zone that you have to treat both eyes differently as they may have different problems. For me it is dry eye in the left and RCE in the right.